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Yes, it is possible to travel for free, and no, there is no catch. As long as you’re financially responsible, you should definitely start Travel Hacking.

This is a completely new section that we want to share with you, because hey, if you like cheap travel thanks to our flight deals, you’ll definitely like free travel right? That’s what you can get with Travel Hacking.

We will be posting a lot (and I mean a lot) more information and tips on this complex but oh-so-interesting subject in the coming weeks (our revamped Travel Hacking section is coming in April 2019), so bear with us for a moment. I’ll give you, in a few paragraphs, what Travel Hacking is all about, and the link to two more important articles… and invite you to come back soon to learn more.

And there are obviously other resources online about Travel Hacking, but we find that many of those sites are very focused on using Travel Hacking to fly first class and to stay in five-star luxury resorts. Sure, that is a way of using miles and points that is very popular, but here at Flytrippers, we want to help you use Travel Hacking to travel more often and travel at a lower cost!

Here’s how Travel Hacking can get you approximately $1,000 worth of free travel every year.

 

Travel Hacking 101

Travel Hacking is the art of accumulating miles and points for free flights and free hotel nights. If you’re first thought is “oh a loyalty thing, that never works”, think again.

These miles give you free flights, with the caveat that you have to pay for taxes if you depart from Canada. It’s still an almost free flight, although it can be even better if you drive to Burlington (for Montreal folks) or Buffalo (for Toronto) or Seattle (for Vancouver). Then it is really almost free (under $20). But let’s say you really don’t want to drive, you’ll still get an almost free flight, much cheaper than if you pay regular price.

And the points can also get you 100% free hotel nights if you prefer. No taxes or out-of-pocket cost at all.

Most importantly, it is quite easy to accumulate these points and miles: no need to be a big spender or a big traveler.

How do I get those points?

Like I said, we will be giving you a ton of tips on Travel Hacking, but basically, the best way to travel hack is to signup for credit cards that give free points and miles as a Signup Bonus, plus points and miles for every dollar you spend.

And the most lucrative part is really the Signup Bonus, as they literally give you free travel. Now, it is really important to understand that the only way Travel Hacking is worth it is if you pay your credit card in full every month and just use it as if it was your debit card (with 0 interest charges).

That’s the smartest thing to do, but if you are not responsible financially and aren’t able to control yourself, click on the “Back” button on your browser and get out of here, Travel Hacking is not for you. Really, we mean it.

Why credit cards?

Basically, nothing will get you as many points as the Signup Bonuses that credit cards get you. The annual fees for the credit cards are often waived for the first year so you sign up, you get a free flight, and you can then earn more points with your regular spending. This is all possible without paying a single dollar more than you would have, and you get free travel.

How do I start?

Start by reading our 10 most important rules for Travel Hacking and then check out our ranking of the best current credit card offers in Canada. Then come back for more tips, or ask us in the comments below!

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Advertiser Disclosure: Flytrippers receives a commission on links featured in this blog post. We appreciate if you use them, especially given it never costs you anything more to do so, and we thank you for supporting the site and making it possible for us to keep finding the best travel deals and content for you. In the interest of transparency, know that we will NEVER recommend a product or service we do not believe in or that we do not use ourselves, as our reputation and credibility is worth far more than any commission. This principle is an essential and non-negotiable part of all our partnerships: we will never give any third party any control whatsoever on our content. For more information on our advertiser disclosure, click here.

Disclaimer: Flytrippers does not give financial advice. You should ensure travel hacking fits your personal situation and obtain professional advice if you so desire. Flytrippers may receive a commission for referrals, however our policy is to only recommend products or services we really believe in (and have ourselves). To read more on our disclaimer, click here.

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Andrew D'Amours

Andrew is the co-founder of Flytrippers. He is passionate about traveling the world but also, as a former management consultant, about the travel industry itself. He shares his experiences to help you save money on travel. As a very cost-conscious traveler, he loves finding deals and getting free travel thanks to travel rewards points... to help him visit every country in the world (current count: 71/193 Countries, 47/50 US States & 9/10 Canadian Provinces).

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